Apple has sued OpenAI, alleging its chief hardware officer and a staffer stole confidential Apple trade secrets to help build the AI company’s own devices.
Apple Accuses OpenAI’s Hardware Chief of Corporate Espionage
Apple filed suit against OpenAI on Friday, accusing the company and its chief hardware officer, Tang Tan, of stealing trade secrets for use in OpenAI’s device ambitions.
The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of California and viewed by TheWrap, also names technical staffer Chang Liu and Jony Ive’s startup IO Products, which OpenAI acquired for $6.4 billion.
Apple alleges Tan urged Apple employees interviewing at OpenAI to bring “actual parts” from Apple for “show and tell” sessions, while Liu allegedly coached a recruit on dodging Apple’s security team while copying files.
“This is the tip of the iceberg,” the filing states, accusing OpenAI leadership of normalizing such misconduct.
The suit marks a sharp reversal from the companies’ 2024 partnership around ChatGPT-powered Siri — a deal since replaced by Google’s AI. Apple is seeking damages, injunctions, and an order barring OpenAI from using its trade secrets.
The case follows a separate late-June lawsuit by publishers against OpenAI and Microsoft over alleged copyright infringement, and OpenAI’s ongoing dispute with the New York Times.
NEWS NOW:
- Ceasefire in tatters: US launches third round of strikes against Iran over Strait of Hormuz attacks
- White House shuts down meeting between Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s office and Iran
- Experts advise pregnant women to cut sugar to protect children’s mental health
- Pentagon releases 40 new UFO files, including pilot’s mystery encounter
